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 Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 11:17 am
Eyes shining and a smile on her face, the juvenile hobbled over to a rock, hunched down on front of it, then sprang over it. She repeated the same action for another rock not too far ahead. Rocks were a common item in Ramla's life, and she frequently used them as toys. And the farther away one got from the pride, the more rocks there seemed to be. Being one who liked the thrill of the unexplored, as well as someone who liked rocks, Ramla wanted to keep walking towards the edge of the unknown. She wanted to play with all the rocks she'd never seen before, and she wanted to play with them in places she'd never been. It was fun to explore! But not to some, like...Her brother.
Speaking of whom...
Ramla glanced over her shoulder quickly, just for a split second, to make sure he was still following. She tore her eyes away and rested them back on the dry ground ahead of her. Yep, he was still following. And as she continued walking, Ramla suddenly wondered why it mattered if he was following or not. Why had she wanted to look back to make sure? She didn't know.
Maybe one day she would.
Ridding the thought from her mind, Ramla continued onward, happily leaping over any obstruction in her path as she went, confident in herself and her abilities, and unaware that she had gone a lot farther away from the Mizimu'Tungika than she planned...
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Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 11:44 am
 -Almost her exact opposite, Palak WAS one to notice his surroundings, so it was with much discontent that he trailed his troublesome sister. It was a good thing he loved her... that he'd been born with this streak of protectiveness.. for the further they went the more his body tried to convince him to turn around. The dreary moisture clung to his coat, snapping twigs and swishing grass caused his heart to race, eyes and ears to snap in attention. He dreaded the night... and how far they'd strayed from their den.. but not so much as he dreaded what would happen to Ramla if he left.
Surely he'd been with her long enough to know. She'd likely get lost and probably not even care until it was far too late. Or get hurt even? He'd even heard some whispers.. when the adults thought he wasn't paying attention... whispers of something bad happening to sacrifices. There was no way he'd let anything happen to his sister! Not on his life. Palak's mind drifted back home.. to his other brother and his adoptive family... He wished so much to be in a nice dry and warm den now.
However, his voice was already hoarse and frusterated from his attempts to convince her back towards home. So he followed, mostly silently in his pursuit, watchful eyes on his sister to make sure she didn't slip into the fog and dissapear.
Maybe he'd try one more time.. His young voice called out in a sigh.- "Ramla.... Can't we go home yet? It's getting dark you know. We're gonna get in trouble."
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Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 1:51 pm
Kondo enjoyed the dull evening light, it dulled all the colours of the world and made them blend into a soft variety of dark green and black. His fur was matching bar the gentle yellow highlights near his spine. If only he had been the one born with the cursed colours of a sacrifice, then he wouldn't have lost his mate they could have fleed left for a better world and a better life. His time with the Dhati was not perfect, he was scorned and ever watched by eyes that seemed to suspect him of deception. It didn't matter, they where simply a mean to an ends. Through then he would take his vengenge, feel the blood of the so called 'sacred' Mizimu'Tungika. What gave them the right to pick who lived and who died? Pounding his paw on the ground with a mighty thump he let out a mighty roar. It rolled through his mouth and the trees around him, carrying his pain, his hatred, his cowardness.
No matter what happened he would always blaim himself, he should have done something other than simply watch -but what? It had been Kato's wish for him to watch her die, she had never hated her life as a sacrifice and until her death he too had taken honor in it, loving that she was there when he returned from battle. Yet now he was alone. No children. No family. No pride to call his own. Disowned by the very lions he had given his life to protect -his scared body was a living reminder of what he had given up for them.
Everything.
Including the only woman he could ever love.
Alone.
Tormented.
He sat on the ground looking up at the soft sparkling sky. How he wished that the kings of old could relieve his burden, show him the way forward from his hell of pain. "Kato," he whispered into his paws as he lowered his head, "I will find you again." Letting out a slow raspy breath he started to relax, closing his eyes softly to reach the beautiful world that she still exsisted in. His dreams. Yet at the blanked of darkness consumed his mind he heard something, soft paw steps and whispered words. The warrior instincts in him wriggled forward, dancing back to life as his eyes snapped open and he leaped to stand on all fours. His ears moving to capture any more sounds that crept towards him. It sounded like two lions -warriors or hunters perhaps due to the softness of their paws- trained.
Turning he looked back to where some of the members of the Dhati lay dormant in a clearing not too far away, tempted for a moment to warn them he was torn with his actions until he stepped forward, towards the sound. He would investigate and return to them if needed. That would be best. They needed their rest, and unlike most of them Kondo had once been a warrior for the Mizimu'Tungika he knew their training and their moves better than most and had even trained some of the younger lions their ways.
Taking a deep breath he scanned the world around him. Pausing for a moment as the sounds seemed to dull, one had stopped. What where they planning? Sneaking forward, one paw at a time he tried to use the larger rocks and trees of the area to hide his presence until he wanted it to become known. Until he saw the most unusual sight. Two cubs. Cubs! That was certainly something he hadn't expected. Stepping forward slightly to reveal his presence he coughed a gentle "um-hum" towards them before speaking, in a soft gentle voice. "What are you two doing so far from the pride?" He was sure his words made him appear to be one of the Mizimu'Tungika, he had no intention to frighten cubs.
A soft envy flooded the back of his mind. He wished that Kato had gifted him with children of his own.
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Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 3:31 pm
Ramla narrowed her eyes, a small smile wincing across her maw. "No, silly. We haven't even played any games yet!" she explained in a drawl, seeming to possess little patience when it came to her brother's complaints, as though he were the troublesome one. His fears were foreign to her. Getting in trouble meant nothing to Ramla at that age, especially with her strange mindset, and she certainly wasn't afraid of the dark. All she wanted to think about was playing.
But visions of rocks and play and fun with herself (and her brother, if he came around to the idea) left Ramla's mind at the sound of a soothing voice. Her ears shifted quickly, head turning to face whomever the voice belonged to. Teal eyes met baby blue, and some level of innocence and blissful obliviousness in Ramla's expression changed.
It's already been said that Ramla paid no heed to her surroundings (at least from what others could tell); the weather, the landmarks, the sights, the smells...On top of not paying attention to them, she forgot them as soon as she saw them. But she remembered others. She never forgot a name or a face; not once. There were some lions in the pride who didn't know her, but she knew them. She always remembered others. And she knew without a doubt that she did not know this grown-up.
Ramla had been taught, especially lately, not to talk to strangers. She was to stay close to the Minders. She never listened to that, of course. She was never taught in full detail, but was under the impression that bad things may happen. She didn't know what, and had never thought much of it before. But now, staring at the strange male, she wondered...Why weren't cubs allowed to talk to strangers? What would happen?
Always one to explore the unfamiliar, Ramla perked up a bit, putting on something of an innocent mask in an attempt to hide her secret unsureness. "Exploring." the juvenile stated lightly. Her heart was fluttering strangely in her chest, and she didn't know why.
Why wasn't she allowed to talk to strangers...?
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Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 4:08 am
-At the sound of a voice Palak's heart went racing faster than a rabbit.. however, when his eyes settled upon the figure it was a look of relief that flooded his face. The pelt... dark with flecks of bright color reminded him of the average Mimizu... and the gentle tone. He felt his chest fill with relief.
An adult! Quite certainly he'd MAKE them go back! He might not be able to boss his sister home, but a elder pride member, that was a different story. Bracing the distance between himself and his sister, coming to pause only a couple steps behind him, he replied matter of factly.- "I told her it's getting too late for exploring though. We're supposed to be back to the den before too long."
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Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 4:34 am
Kondo watches the two youths softly, the female seemed brave and fearless while the male more reserved. An interesting pair. For a moment a memory flashed before his eyes.
He was sitting in a dark field not too unlike the one he stood in now, the stars twinkling above and as he watched his father march off to battle a sadness loomed in his heart. He was alone -having lost his mother the summer before due to an illness that struck the pride. Yet it was then that he felt the playful paws of Kato digging into his rump, she had kept his spirits up and gave him company even in the darkest of days. He knew then that he loved her.
Fading back to reality he looked from the two cubs, even in the dim light he could see their bright grey and brown furs, perhaps a little two bright for the average careers of the Mizimu'Tungika. He only hoped that they would not be doomed to be sacrificed like his dear Kato. Too innocent to really know what such a deed meant.
A soft smile flicked to his lips as he looked between them and listened. "Exploring, well I agree its certainly late to do such a thing. But..." he paused to look at the female cub for a moment, "the night holds secrets the day will never see." Looking to the sky he noted the North star twinkling in all its magnificence. "Take the stars, they guide the warriors home after a long battle." It was something he remembered well, blood, hatred and anger escaped you as you took each step back home, home to the mate you held so dear. The scars of his body dulled by the dark night sky and for a moment he looked almost untouched.
Curious about the roles these two cubs held within the Mizimu'Tungika he contemplated the best words to use to express his question. Surely just coming out with 'what are you going to be' would be too obvious so instead he thought that connecting a little with them would be the best way. "The way of a warrior is tough, the long battles and time away from home." He paused to turn towards the male cub. "...but the glorious feel when you return home can not be beaten. Could you ever see yourself in such a role?"
Hoping that they would reveal themselves he added something else that was personal. "How rude of me, my name is Kondo. Warrior." Once upon a time he would have said 'Warrior for the Mizimu'Tungika' but those days where now far behind him now, and Dhati didn't have the same ring. No passion for them really except to use them for his own vengence.
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Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:18 am
Ramla shot a glance at her brother, eyes half-lidded and a placid smile on her face. Although she didn't look it, she did not appreciate his open rambling to a stranger. But why didn't she approve? She still didn't know what was bad about strangers. She never listened to the rules anyway, nor did she usually listen to her brother, mostly because she never paid attention to them; not really. But the more she listened, and the more she observed her brother and the male, she found she was remembering a lot more warnings than she thought she did...And she found herself wanting to listen to what the minders had told her, and run back to the pride and play with all the rocks there, instead. There were a lot of nice rocks there...There really were.
...But certainly not as nice as the ones farther ahead. If she could just keep walking...
No, she supposed that chance had been dashed already. Now that her brother had seen a Mizi-like lion, his want to go back home would increase with a vengeance and he wouldn't stop pestering her until they turned back. And even if he did keep following her, she supposed the male lion wouldn't allow them to go on, from the sounds of it.
His words were fingering and methodical to the juvenile's ears. She stared at him; watched him look at her brother and speak of warriors, watched him look to the stars. And when his name rang in her ears, Ramla knew without a doubt that she did not know that lion.
He was a stranger.
"Hello..." Ramla answered back unsurely after his introduction, her calm smile beginning to waver. "I'm Ramla. And I'm going home." the juve stated, offering a small smile before carrrrrefully beginning to turn around, teal eyes finding her brother and holding onto him for some sense of familiarity and security. When it came right down to it, Ramla was a lot less capable of taking care of herself than she acted like.
When it came right down to it, Ramla was a scaredy-cat.
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Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 10:20 am
-Palak's eyes went upwards to the sky, his mind trickling over the statement that he imagined to be true. There probably WAS alot out in the dark that was different then in the daytime. It was something he hoped to discover one day, maybe when he was as big as this male? Certainly not though when his eyes and attention had to be on his sister. If she got hurt or lost... he couldn't imagine what he'd do!
Little brown ears popped upwards as the question sounded, voice lifting in a pleasant sound, having lost most of the tension and worry that had been eating him up before. Palak quite liked company, and it was fairly obvious, his maw strecthing to a mild smile.- "Sometimes I pretend to be a warrior. I think I'd do a pretty good job too! But they say that we've got to protect everyone on the spirit side instead.." -He shouldn't be sad... Blota was so proud to be a sacrifice, but still.. the thought of losing his family before him... He could only hope he was the first to go.
Eyes widened in soft surprise at Ramla's words and actions. Uncertain of their cause he was nonetheless pleased, offering her a soft noise of appreciation, waiting for her to join his side.- "We should be heading back now." -He nodded matter of factly, but from his pleasant demeanor it was pretty easy to gauge that he wouldn't mind the company of a willing adult.-
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Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 11:07 am
Kondo watched both the cubs eagerly, and as he did he saw their roles reverse. The female was no longer brave and out going but instead wanted the very thing her brother had asked her just moments before. He wondered what had caused such a change of heart, had she seen him for what he was? A ex-member of the pride? Perhaps but it mattered not as the words of the male rang like a thousand bells in his ears. They where to be sacrificed, or at least he was. It was clear by the anguish in his eyes that he wanted so much more for himself, it was the same look that was trapped on his own face weeks before Kato's death as he begged her time and time again to leave with him so that they could have lots of children. But without the security of a pride she dared not. It was sad.
And before Kondo could stop himself he spoke out about a different way, "It can be different you know! I watched my Kato being sacrificed for the 'will of the Spirits' but there is another way." Sincerity rang out with every word. He wanted so much to save them from the fate the fates had lay out before them, he had to try no matter how hopeless... after all he knew how much Kato had honoured her role.
He leaped playfully forward to walk slowly and easily beside the small cubs. He spoke with a calm but commanding voice, as if he was trying to will the young cubs into his way of thinking. He wanted to save them. Something he couldn't do for Kato. His only real regret. "Come with me to the Dhati. You would never live in fear of becoming a sacrifice again," he paused for a moment and then lowered his head for a moment in a very military salute, "I give my word as a former warrior for the Mizimu'Tungika to protect you if you come with me."
Kondo raised his head and continued to watch and walk with the cubs as they headed back to the pride, it was a long walk and he hoped that he could convince them before they met a patrol.
Heart beating within his chest.
Time drifting slowly.
He wanted to plead with them to do the 'right' thing, to save themselves from being wasted. No one deserved to die simply because of the colour of the fur.
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Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 12:14 pm
Heart dropping with an unfamiliar sense of relief at her brother's words, Ramla regained a bit of her smile and made her way close beside her sibling. It was an unusual stance, given that she was usually ahead of him whenever they went some place, but something in her instinct told her to stay close beside him, so she did. And she didn't mind. She felt safe there. When had she stopped feeling safe; confident? When had that gone away? She still didn't understand. She didn't know what was going to happen, or even what was currently happening. All she wanted to do was keep moving forward. So she did. She kept on walking, trying with frustration to shun the stranger's words from her folded ears. But she couldn't ignore what he was saying.
Sense of relief fading, Ramla began to grasp just what the stranger was talking about. So, she had been right. He was a stranger, and he wasn't from the Mizimu'Tungika. He was from another place. He was from a bad place that Ramla wasn't supposed to talk about. And there was another warning that found its way into her recollection...Why now, when it was too late, did all the things she should've done start coming into her head? She always felt like a grown-up; just one that played games and had a lot of fun. But she wasn't a grown-up. She was just a kid. She didn't feel safe anymore. She wanted to go home.
Pace quickening, Ramla's brows knitted together and a frown lined her maw. Her eyes danced with worry and she kept close to her brother as they walked. Things were fluttering violently inside the juvenile's stomach, and the feeling intensified when she saw the adult was following them.
"No," she murmured quietly, small paws moving even more quickly. Then she raised her tone, warning flashing in her eyes, though she directed her gaze forward. "No, we're going home!" It wasn't right to be out there. She had done a bad thing. It wasn't right for her to have left.
She had done a bad, bad thing.
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Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 12:49 pm
-Palak was torn. The tone, the motions of the large warrior were comforting, friendly, but at the same time Ramla's actions were puzzling. She was being colder then usual... clingy and... uncertain.. is that was he was sensing? His body stepped close enough that he could feel the heat radiating from her body, hoping the same sensation might sooth her.
Had the situation been different... their past more normal Palak might have found himself swayed by the male, and for a moment his mind did play with the offer. To not have to be sacrifices... to have a strong and wise warrior help look over his family. And yet.. it would be just as before, split from part of his siblings, adoptive as they may be, and now his sister's discomfort was rubbing him the wrong way.- "We can't... Sorry." -There was a soft regret in his voice at dissapointing Kondo.-
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Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:39 pm
Slowing his pace for a moment Kondo nearly stopped, mouth opened as the agony played in his eyes. Once again he was unable to help someone fated to be sacrificed. Once again he had been rejected.
The same part of him that had torn and shattered with dread and regret after watching Kato die broke once more, a pain so sharp and deep that it shot straight through his heart and actually brought a single tear tumbling down his face. Why was he always destined to fail? Never being able to sacrifice himself instead of watching those around him give themselves to a worthless cause. There was no sense in ending their lives, it made no difference to the Spirits -he saw that now, in the eyes and lives of the Dhati members that actually attempted to speak to him. Perhaps it was pointless to fight his own failed destiny. Forever alone. Forever watching others die.
Part of him wanted to beg the cubs to come with him and part of him wanted to take their lives before the Mizimu'Tungika did so. Rage rippled through his mighty muscles. Power ruffled his mane. He wouldn't just watch those around him die. He wouldn't. He couldn't.
In that moment his mind was made up.
Leaping towards the male cub he reached his neck forward in an effort to capture him within his jaw just behind the youths neck and carry him away with him (using the flabby skin at the back of the neck), take him to saftey. Although his movements where sharp there was very little malice in them, he still wanted to protect the cubs, seeing them hurt was far from his current objective.... unless they refused -he wouldn't just watch them die for an untrue cause, he would send a message to the Mizimu'Tungika. One they could not ignore.
Never again would he watch someone die as a sacrifice.
Never.
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Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:09 pm
Indeed soothed by her brother's close presence, Ramla continued onward, trying with the best of her ability to focus on getting home and ignoring the trailing adult. Something seemed wrong with him after a moment, and she could sense that things were changing. This feeling only made the juvenile even more unsure, but if she quickened her pace anymore, she'd be running. Running wouldn't be good. Running made you look like prey.
And prey got killed.
Just as that thought left her mind, Ramla heard a horrifying sound; the intake of breath. Then, movement. She began turning around to act on her instinct to defend herself, but she didn't get even half-way before she saw the male try to snatch her brother up from the ground. Pupils shrinking, things appeared to Ramla in slow-motion for just a second. It was with shock that she saw the actions played out. What was it that made strangers bad?
Strangers wanted to HURT YOU.
"NO!" Ramla screamed, the word almost incoherent from the sheer pitch she yelled in. She sprang at the adult and dug her teeth into his forearm; the only pathetic attempt she thought of to do. It was an act of instinct. It was an act of survival. It was an act of self-defense. It was even an act of protection towards her brother; someone she never really paid attention to. But despite all her good intentions, Ramla knew one thing above all:
She didn't stand a chance.
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Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 8:04 pm
-Oblivious to Ramla's dark.. and unfortunately correct thoughts, Palak listened wearily to see if Kondo would try to convince them anymore. No words sounded however and he was lulled into a false sense of security that shattered almost as quickly.
Teeth grazed the back of his neck, skin pulled tight around his vocal cords. It didn't hurt, no... it was something he'd felt before once or twice in his life being cared along, but he found himself silented which only magnified his fear.
What way he doing!!? Wwwwhy!?! Palak squirmed as best he could instinctively, paws and feet swinging at the air in hopes of hitting the large ebony male.
His ears shot forward as Ramla's scream added to the adreniline in his veins, and he tried to call out to her... to tell her to run away, but no sound came out as his mouth openned in protest.-
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Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 12:01 am
((So you know I am leaving for my holiday a little later now -Sunday afternoon GMT so we have a little more time for the RP))
Lifting the youth effortlessly between his jaws he struggled to keep hold as legs and paws frailed in an effort to dislodge him. Turning softly he kept thinking one thing over and over 'take them to safety - keep them away from the Mizimu'Tungika.'
Pain riggled through his paw, not a sharp pain but a pain none the less. Lowering his head he saw the female cub digging her teeth and claws into him, how brave. She would make a good warrior with the right training. Lifting his paw he shook it in an effort to disloge the cub and throw her to the floor, but as he did he took a paw to the eye from the frailing male. Wincing slightly he impulsively dropped the cub as his eye began to water and slammed his paw forcefully to the ground to allow him more stability.
It was over. They would run now. He knew it -although he hadn't intentionally hurt them it seemed to matter not, they where scared and he knew it.
A new objective wriggled into his mind. If he couldn't steal them from the Mizimu'Tungika and prevent them from being sacrificed then he would send a message of a totally different kind. An evil anger flashed over his eyes dulling their colour.
Snarling he let out a low growl and lowered his stance to look at the youths. "I was only trying to save you." The words had a bitterness laced with them as he continued to snarl. Pouncing towards the female who had bitten him, anger still in his facial features, claws brought forward as he got closer....
...he would teach her a lesson.
Raising his paw he prepared to snatch the young cub. Teach her the real meaning of fear. Just like in battle nothing else mattered to him now. He would achieve his goal.
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